Sports
Samit Patel recalled to England Test squad
London: All-rounder Samit Patel has been recalled to the England Test squad for next month’s tour of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to play Pakistan as a replacement for the injured Zafar Ansari.
Ansari injured his left thumb just hours after getting a surprise call-up to the England squad last week. The 23-year-old was selected as a third spinner for England behind Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid, suffered an “open dislocation” to his thumb while fielding for Surrey against Lancashire at Old Trafford.
“The timing of this injury, on the day his selection was announced, was particularly cruel for Zafar and he is naturally extremely disappointed to have to pull out of the tour,” England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) national selector James Whitaker was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
“As a left-arm spinner and a middle-order batsman, Samit is a similar type of player to Zafar and his previous international experience, and in particular, experience of performing for England in sub-continental conditions will be an extremely useful asset to the squad in the UAE.”
Speaking after his call-up, Patel, who has played five Tests, said he thought his England chance had gone.
“I was not expecting a Test call. I thought the door was closed on Test cricket. It’s unfortunate for Zafar but I have to make the most of it,” said the 30-year-old.
The left-handed batsman from Haryana is garnering praise from all quarters for the way he’s finishing games regularly in the most exciting IPL season.
Gavaskar reckons Tewatia’s whirlwind knock in Sharjah (in IPL 2020) where he smashed West Indies pacer Sheldon Cottrell for five sixes in an over, gave him the confidence that he belongs to the big stage.
Speaking on Cricket Live on Star Sports, Gavaskar said, “That assault on Sheldon Cottrell in Sharjah gave him the belief to do the impossible and the confidence that he belongs here. We saw the impossible (he did with the bat) the other day as well. There’s no twitching or touching the pads (which shows a batter’s nervousness) when he bats in the death overs. He just waits for the ball to be delivered and plays his shots. He’s got all the shots in the book, but most importantly his temperament to stay cool in a crisis is brilliant.”
Gavaskar has also nicknamed the 28-year-old cricketer the ‘ice-man’ and lauded Tewatia’s ability to remain unruffled during the tense moments.
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